Middle Ages Church Flashcards
(87 cards)
Monasticism
Christian teaching to deny oneself, hermits (solitary life) or monastic communities (common life), persecution and martyrdom not as common, want a way to suffer like Christ
Antony of Egypt
hermit, moved to desert around 270, both parents died when 18, lived near a wise man, raised own food, prayer persistently, people, including the emperor, sought him
White Martyrdom
term given to monasticism as it is giving your life to Christ in a radical way but by living, not dying
Purpose of monasticism
originally to wrestle out demons and to follow Christ to holiness
Basil
fourth century monk, recognized that monks need a rule to follow in community in order to avoid excesses and guide them in their path, became a hermit, many men joined, formed a religious community, developed a rule, formed the role of abbot
Jerome
fourth century monk, hermit, raised pagan, educated in Latin and Greek, translated the Bible from the original Hebrew and Greek into Latin (Latin Vulgate)
Ambrose
mentor to St. Augustine, governor of Milan, Arian, calmed the crowd in Milan who was fighting over an Arian becoming bishop, everyone wanted Ambrose to be bishop, baptized, confirmed, given Eucharist, and ordained bishop, refused to give Theodosius communion until he did public penance
Augustine
Mother Christian, Dad pagan, became a Manichaean, his mother’s prayers, his study with Plato, and his meeting Bishop Ambrose led to his conversion, organized a small monastery, became priest, elected bishop, wrote The Confessions and City of God, “our hearts are restless, o lord, until they rest in you”
Leo the Great
named pope in 440, Rome was crumbling, had great skills as leader and negotiator, great homilies, called on to fill political vacuum, used the title Pontifex Maximus, made peace with Attila the Hun, called the Council of Chalcedon
Attila the Hun
leader of a barbarian tribe from Western Asia that was invading Italy, strong and fierce, Leo meets with him and convinces him to leave Rome
Council of Chalcedon
council discussing the Monophysitism (Eastern heresy that Christ is divine and only appears human), bishops state that Jesus has two natures, human and divine
Dark Ages
between 450-700, complete disintegration of the Western Roman Empire, Barbarian invasions, Europe divided, church was stable, land and money given to bishops and monasteries, in the east the government is stronger and controls the church while in the west the church is stronger and controls government
Barbarians and the Roman empire
waves of barbarian invasions put great pressures on the empire, pope and the church ascended in power and influence
Boniface
apostle to the Germans, Benedictine monk in England, follows Patrick’s model, incredible bravery, devoted to missionary work, martyred in Netherlands, chopped down tree devoted to Thor but wasn’t struck down so many people converted
Bede
spent his entire life in the same monastery, studying, teaching, and writing, wrote A History of the English Church and People
Clovis
king of the Franks, more acceptable to Catholics than Arians, married a Catholic princess, coverts after winning in battle, 3000 soldiers convert and eventually the entire kingdom, his rule sweeps out Arianism and leads to the rise of Christendom, Christian calendar begins
Justinian
last strong Byzantine emperor, set up a uniform code of law, rebuilt the Hagia Sopia, withstood barbarian invasion, church reached a pinnacle of influence in the East
Justinian’s Code
civil law that reflected Christian values (women’s rights, more humane punishment) , took 7 years to develop with a committee, persecution of non-Christians, cutting off hands and ears for punishment
Hagia Sophia
one of the grandest church buildings of all time in Constantinople rebuilt by Justinian
St. Patrick
taken captive by pirates, lived as a slave in Ireland, escaped back to Britain after six years of slavery, entered monastery, spent 20 years a monk, returned to Ireland, made bishop, established monasteries throughout Ireland using the shamrock
St. Brigid
mother was sold by father and took her with her, went back to serve father who was a pagan king, refused to marry, made vows with seven other women and formed a monastic community, founded Kildare
Kildare
double monastery in Ireland founded by St. Brigid, had one for men and one for women
St. Benedict
patron saint of spiritual warfare, hermit in cave, formed monastery at Monte Cassino (self -sufficient), founder of western monasticism, wrote the Rule of St. Benedict, life was ora et labora, sister Scholastica formed a women’s monastery
Gregory the Great
prefect of Rome, father dies, he resigns and gives away money and land, lives as a monk, turns castle into monastery, sent to Constantinople for 7 years, returns to Rome, Tiber River floods, pope dies from plague, he is elected Pope even though he doesn’t want it, cares for the poor, rebuilds crumbling churches and city, educates, celibacy, Gregorian chant, diplomat, sends Augustine of Canterbury to Britain, “Servant of the Servants of God”
